What is a Pet Scam Website ?
The puppy scammer list 2019
This scam typically involves ads for non-existent puppies being placed in newspapers and online classifieds at suspiciously low prices. The ‘seller’ provides interested buyers with pictures of an adorable pet. They will often create a Pet Scam Website in order to give themselves an air of authenticity. They then trick you, the buyer, into paying fees for transport, customs or medical costs before the dog can be delivered. Once the payment is made they will continue demanding more and more money for fees for a nonexistent pet.
How these scams work
You visit a reputable newspaper or online classifieds website. Scammers will post an ad offering a pedigree pet for a really cheap price or sometimes even free. The ad may include a picture of a very cute kitten or puppy and claim that it is registered and has been ‘lovingly raised’.
If you wish to buy the pet, the ‘seller’ will often claim that they have moved interstate or overseas and that you will need to pay for transport or medical costs before the pet can be delivered. The ‘seller’ asks for payment to be made via money transfer.
If you pay, you will never receive the pet or see your money again.
If the scammer claims that the pet is overseas, they will use a “Pet Delivery” company like these. They may then pretend that non-delivery is due to customs or quarantine issues, and that further payment is due before the pet will be released. Again, any further money sent will be lost and the pet will never be delivered.